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Enabling Shared-Track: Technology, Command, and Control 41
· Proficiency testing, fitness for duty and fatigue management practices;
· Supplemental and revised documents to reflect system or operational changes;
· Physical characteristics map and guide of the route for each employee;
· Communications protocols for all employees of the passenger and freight system. A reliable
communications system that links the control center to light passenger rail cars, freight
equipment, MOW crews and work equipment, MOE crews and supervisors, and monitors/
commands the train control system.
· Guidelines and instructions for incident and accident response and management
While each system's rulebook may be organized differently, they all cover similar themes in a
way appropriate to their system and culture. It is important that the freight operator be involved
in the process of drafting the rulebook. While not all topics will be of concern to the freight carrier
(e.g., light rail transit street running), there must be concurrence on topics of mutual interest.
5) Rules and Procedures for Shared-Track
Operating R&P defines how the signal system directs train movements and interactions
between traincrews, the control center, and trains. Rules describe signal aspects, their meaning,
and standard procedures both in normal operation, and when failure occurs. This is a key aspect
of train control and must complement the characteristics of the operation and technology.
Shared-track operation complicates the development of rules because operating procedures for
freight trains will necessarily differ from those for light passenger rail cars. Designers of a shared-
track operation should address some or all of the issues bulleted below.
· A prospective operator for shared-track operations should be cognizant of the mandates of
FRA/FTA policy and regulations.
· The agency operator must blend cultures and practices developed to serve freight movements,
passenger operations, and a street running light rail transit (LRT) operation.
· Implement joint training and testing programs, common rulebooks, user based special
instructions and procedures, and physical characteristics training, including periodic revisions
and currency updates. Institute proficiency testing.
· Delineate ownership and responsibilities of each entity using the corridor, creating a need for
communication between the parties at both a senior management level and the front line level
for day-to-day operations.
· Understand that Command and Control practices that may be necessary or appropriate for a
passenger operation may not be valued, or may be perceived as impediments to their opera-
tions, by the freight carrier.
· Establish a control center that can set signals and switches, monitor and authorize train move-
ments, and is capable of two way communications with train crews of both the passenger and
freight equipment, and all MOW and MOE crews who access the shared ROW.
· Confirm the transfer of operational authority for a former active freight line to a new passenger
operating authority, along with the assumption of responsibility for Command and Control
of both freight and passenger traffic.
Transportation staff responsible for drafting rules and procedures should recognize that:
1. Since each shared-track operation and its associated communications network will be unique,
the approach to Command and Control will have to be specifically tailored for the system.
Commencement of any proposed shared-track operation will generate the need for new rules
augmented and integrated with appropriate technology. A good foundation for new rules is
the freight operators Book of Rules.
2. Shared-track creates the possibility for multiple operating environments within the same cor-
ridor, including mainline railroad running, street running, mixing with automotive traffic,
